Girl, 12, tells Clovis court her mother admitted killing educator Geoff Bernardi
A 12-year-old testified that her mother confessed to killing Clovis educator Geoff Bernardi before fleeing to Mexico. Both Misty Rose Gomez and Antonio Garcia face murder charges.
Child witness describes mother's confession in Fresno County murder trial
A 12-year-old girl took the stand in a Fresno County courtroom on Monday, testifying that her mother told her she and her stepfather had killed Clovis educator Geoffrey Bernardi shortly after the attack, according to abc30.com.
The child — whose identity is withheld because she is a minor — is the daughter of Misty Rose Gomez and stepdaughter of Antonio Garcia. Both are charged with murder in connection with Bernardi's death. Prosecutors allege Garcia carried out the assault and that Gomez helped plan and conceal it.
"She told me because they had done something very bad, and which was they had — they had, you know, killed Geoffrey," the girl testified.
The child described learning the truth after Garcia was taken away for questioning. Her mother, she said, initially said only that "they hurt him really badly" before eventually admitting what had happened.
Family taken across the border under false pretences
Monday's testimony focused heavily on Gomez's decision to take her two daughters to Mexico following the December attack. The child told the court she and her sister believed they were leaving for a brief holiday.
"We had been told that we were just going to go to Los Angeles, you know, and be there to go to like, Universal or something? And then that's when we had actually gone to Mexico," she testified.
The girls were driven to the southern border and then travelled by bus to Michoacán, where they reunited with Garcia. They remained in Mexico for several months. The child also testified that neither her biological father nor her sister's biological father was informed about the move.
Gomez and Garcia were arrested in August, after which the children were returned to the United States. Prosecutors have argued the couple fled the country specifically to avoid prosecution.
Victim's mother describes extent of injuries
The court also heard from Erin Adams, Bernardi's mother, who described her son's condition after the attack and her interactions with Gomez while he was hospitalised.
"He was beaten beyond recognition. Every bone in his skull, his face were broken, and his hands were broken," Adams told the court.
Adams testified that her family had no knowledge that Gomez was married while she was in a relationship with Bernardi. Despite what investigators now allege was her role in orchestrating the crime, Gomez spent time at the hospital while Bernardi fought for his life.
Investigators had previously stated that Gomez initially told authorities Bernardi had been attacked by a homeless man. Prosecutors contend Garcia carried out the assault while Gomez helped conceal the crime.
Gomez and Garcia remain in custody. The preliminary hearing is expected to continue with further testimony.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)